-
Seattle,
Washington,
United States - March
- 3 miles/5K, 6 miles/10K, 9 miles/15K, Virtual Race
- Road Race
- Event Website
Bradley
Vancouver, BC, CanadaOverall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
For the full race review, visit my blog:
https://bradleyontherun.com/2018/03/04/allstate-hot-chocolate-15k-seattle/
Quick Recap – Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k Seattle
Social Media: The Hot Chocolate Series is America-wide, so their social is quite broad. However, the Website for the Seattle race was very informative, and I referred back to it frequently.
Other social channels: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Packet Pickup: Although the Expo itself wasn’t huge, it had a great vibe and was super-efficient early on Saturday. I liked the QR code option to expedite the process, and there were tonnes of eager volunteers to get things done. And because it was held at Seattle Center – near the start line – I had a preview of where to go the next morning.
T-Shirt/Swag: Probably some of the best swag I’ve ever received at a race – and my favourite part of the Hot Chocolate 15k Seattle! First of all, the quarter zip (blue for guys, purple for girls) is great – nice fit, nice feel. Something I’ll use! And the medal itself is epic – big, bulky bling, just as it should be! And this year, each city had its own keychain attached (Seattle Space Needle for me!)
Course: Be prepared for hills. And a long, long uphill climb. Naturally, you get rewarded with the downhill again…until that uphill in the final kilometre. Some of the views – over Lake Union, and of the city – are quite striking. At the same time, you spend ages on the same, straight (hilly) road, which gets a bit monotonous.
Post-Race: I was done early enough that I got my Finisher’s Mug full of sweet treats pretty quickly. I imagine the lines got more intense a bit later on. It was a great, positive vibe, although we didn’t stick around long. Good fun.
Would I Run It Again? Given the bling and the goods, I’d definitely consider it. But because the course wasn’t my favourite, I might be tempted to try a Hot Chocolate race in another city, and try something new. But never say never – you may see me there again!!